Front body structure of vehicle

ABSTRACT

A front body structure of the vehicle has a pair of left and right suspension housings provided in desired positions separated from the dash panel toward the vehicle front side. The front body structure of the vehicle further includes a first ring-shaped structural frame that passes through shroud members and is substantially ring-shaped in front view, a second ring-shaped structural frame that passes through the suspension housings and is substantially ring-shaped in front view, and a third ring-shaped structural frame that passes through hinge pillars and is substantially ring-shaped in front view, in which these ring-shaped structural frames are joined to each other by apron reinforcements, front side frames, and side members of the sub-frame.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a front body structure of a vehicle inwhich, for example, in front view, a ring-shaped structural frame thatis substantially ring-shaped in a vehicle width direction is formed in afront body.

Background Art

In a vehicle such as an automobile, front suspension dampers are joinedto the frame members of a vehicle body via suspension housings. Thefront suspension damper suppresses the up-down movement of the vehiclebody by, for example, expanding and contracting according to theunevenness of a road surface and improves the ride comfort foroccupants.

Since a relatively large load is likely to act on the suspensionhousings via the front suspension dampers generally, when the front bodyis bent and deformed by the load acting via the front suspensiondampers, there is a possibility that the steering stability may bereduced and the ride comfort for occupants may be reduced.

Accordingly, for example, the technique disclosed in JP-A-2017-7606improves the body rigidity of the vicinity of the suspension housings byforming a ring-shaped structural frame that is substantially ring-shapedin front view in the vicinity of the suspension housings using a pair ofleft and right damper housing reinforcing members that form a closedcross section extending in a vehicle up-down direction together with thesuspension housings (damper housings) provided close to the dash panel,a dash upper panel reinforcing member that forms a closed cross sectionextending in a vehicle width direction together with a cowl box (dashupper panel) that joins the lower ends of left and right front pillarsto each other, and a front sub-frame provided on a vehicle lower side ofthe suspension housings.

This structure not only improves the body rigidity against the loadacting on the suspension housings, but also transmits the load acting onthe sub-frame via a suspension arm to the body via the cowl box in adistributed manner. Therefore, the technique disclosed in JP-A-2017-7606can transmit the vibration transmitted to the suspension housings andthe sub-frame to the body in a distributed manner.

By the way, when the dash panel and the suspension housings are close toeach other in the vehicle front-rear direction, the ring-shapedstructural frame that is substantially ring-shaped in front view can beformed using the cowl box as a closed cross section member that joinsthe left and right suspension housings to each other, as inJP-A-2017-7606.

However, when the suspension housings are separated from the dash paneltoward the vehicle front side, since the cowl box cannot be easily usedas a closed cross section member joining the left and right suspensionhousings to each other, there is a possibility that the body framecapable of improving the body rigidity against the load acting on thesuspension housings and the load acting on the sub-frame cannot beformed.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure thus provides a front body structure of thevehicle capable of improving the body rigidity against the load actingon the suspension housings and the load acting on the sub-frame evenwhen the suspension housings are provided in positions separated fromthe dash panel toward the vehicle front side.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a front bodystructure of a vehicle, including a pair of left and right hinge pillarsprovided in positions separated from each other by a predetermineddistance in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle, a pair of left andright apron reinforcements that are closed cross section membersextending in a vehicle front-rear direction from upper portions of thehinge pillars, a pair of left and right front side frames that areclosed cross section members extending in the vehicle front-reardirection on a vehicle lower side of the apron reinforcements, a pair ofleft and right suspension housings that support upper ends of frontsuspension dampers in desired positions separated from a dash paneltoward a vehicle front side by a predetermined distance, with thesuspension housings being provided across the apron reinforcements andthe front side frames, and a sub-frame provided on the vehicle lowerside of the front side frames, the sub-frame swingably supporting asuspension arm, with The front body structure further includes a shroudupper that is a closed cross section member joining front ends of theapron reinforcements to each other in the vehicle width direction; and apair of left and right shroud members that are closed cross sectionmembers joining the shroud upper and front ends of the front side framesto each other, in which the sub-frame includes a pair of left and rightside members that extend in the vehicle front-rear direction, a firstsuspension cross member that is a closed cross section member joiningthe left and right side members to each other in substantially the sameposition in the vehicle front-rear direction as the shroud members, asecond suspension cross member that is a closed cross section memberjoining the left and right side members to each other in substantiallythe same position in the vehicle front-rear direction as the suspensionhousings, a first ring-shaped structural frame that passes through theshroud members and the first suspension cross member of the sub-frame,the first ring-shaped structural frame being substantially ring-shapedin front view, a second ring-shaped structural frame that passes througha vicinity of the suspension housings and the second suspension crossmember of the sub-frame, with the second ring-shaped structural framebeing substantially ring-shaped in front view, a third ring-shapedstructural frame that passes through the hinge pillars, with the thirdring-shaped structural frame being substantially ring-shaped in frontview, and in which the first ring-shaped structural frame, the secondring-shaped structural frame, and the third ring-shaped structural frameare joined to each other in the vehicle front-rear direction by theapron reinforcements, the front side frames, and the side members of thesub-frame.

According to the present disclosure, the body rigidity against the loadacting on the suspension housings and the load acting on the sub-framecan be improved even when the suspension housings are provided inpositions separated from the dash panel toward the vehicle front side.

Specifically, since the first ring-shaped structural frame, the secondring-shaped structural frame, and the third ring-shaped structural frameare joined to each other by the apron reinforcements, the front sideframes, and the side members of the sub-frame, the front body structureof the vehicle can form a three-dimensionally ring-shaped structuralframe that is substantially ring-shaped three-dimensionally.

Accordingly, since the three-dimensionally ring-shaped structural framethat is substantially ring-shaped three-dimensionally can support theleft and right suspension housings, when loads in the vehicle up-downdirection, loads in the vehicle width direction, or turning moments acton the suspension housings via the front suspension dampers, the frontbody structure of the vehicle can suppress the bending and deformationof the front body.

Therefore, the front body structure of the vehicle can form the bodystructure that is highly rigid against loads in the vehicle up-downdirection, loads in the vehicle width direction, and turning momentsthat act on the suspension housings via the front suspension dampers.

In addition, since the first suspension cross member forms the firstring-shaped structural frame, the second suspension cross member formsthe second ring-shaped structural frame, and the side members are joinedto the third ring-shaped structural frame, the front body structure ofthe vehicle can improve the supporting rigidity of the sub-frame and canefficiently transmit the load acting on the sub-frame via the suspensionarm to the first ring-shaped structural frame, the second ring-shapedstructural frame, the third ring-shaped structural frame, the apronreinforcements, and the front side frames in a distributed manner.

Accordingly, the front body structure of the vehicle can improve thebody rigidity against the load acting on the suspension housings and theload acting on the sub-frame even when the suspension housings areprovided in positions separated from the dash panel toward the vehiclefront side.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the second ring-shapedstructural frame may be formed on a vehicle rear side of the suspensionhousings. According to the present disclosure, the front body structureof the vehicle can form the second ring-shaped structural frame inproximity to the third ring-shaped structural frame. Therefore, thefront body structure of the vehicle can efficiently transmit the loadacting on the second ring-shaped structural frame to the thirdring-shaped structural frame and the portion of the body on the vehiclerear side of the third ring-shaped structural frame. Accordingly, thefront body structure of the vehicle can stably improve the body rigidityagainst the load acting on the suspension housings and the load actingon the sub-frame as compared with the case in which the secondring-shaped structural frame is formed on the vehicle front side of thesuspension housings.

In addition, in an aspect of the present disclosure, the thirdring-shaped structural frame may have a cowl box that is a closed crosssection member joining the upper portions of the hinge pillars to eachother in the vehicle width direction and the second ring-shapedstructural frame may have a suspension housing joint member that joinsthe left and right suspension housings to each other via a vicinity of asubstantially middle in the vehicle width direction of the cowl box.

According to the present disclosure, the front body structure of thevehicle can form two substantially triangles in plan view along thevehicle width direction using the cowl box, the left and right apronreinforcements, and the suspension housing joint member. That is, thefront body structure of the vehicle can form a truss structure in a rearportion of the front body using the cowl box, the left and right apronreinforcements, and the suspension housing joint member.

Since the suspension housing joint member that forms the secondring-shaped structural frame is joined to the cowl box that forms thethird ring-shaped structural frame in this case, the front bodystructure of the vehicle can more surely improve the rigidity of athree-dimensionally ring-shaped structural frame that is substantiallyring-shaped three-dimensionally in cooperation between the thirdring-shaped structural frame and the second ring-shaped structuralframe.

In addition, since the suspension housing joint member is formed in asubstantially V-shape in plan view that is wide on the vehicle frontside, the front body structure of the vehicle can form a larger openingspace on the vehicle front side of the suspension housing joint memberbetween the left and right apron reinforcements in plan view than in thecase in which the left and right suspension housings are joined to eachother in the vehicle width direction.

Accordingly, the front body structure of the vehicle can ensure adisposition space for an engine and the like provided in the front bodyand improve the body rigidity against the load acting on the suspensionhousings and the load acting on the sub-frame at the same time.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide the frontbody structure of the vehicle capable of improving the body rigidityagainst the load acting on the suspension housings and the load actingon the sub-frame even when the suspension housings are provided inpositions separately from the dash panel toward the vehicle front side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an appearance perspective view illustrating an externalappearance of a front body seen from the upper front of a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the external appearance of the frontbody seen from directly above;

FIG. 3 is a left side view illustrating the external appearance of thefront body seen from the left side;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view seen along arrows A-A in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view seen along arrows B-B in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view seen along arrows C-C in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an appearance perspective view illustrating an externalappearance an apron reinforcement lower seen from the upper front of thevehicle;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view seen along arrows D-D in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is an appearance perspective view illustrating the rear end of afront side frame seen from the lower front of the vehicle;

FIG. 10 is an appearance perspective view illustrating an inner side ina vehicle width direction in the vicinity of the front end of the frontside frame;

FIG. 11 is an appearance perspective view illustrating an outer side inthe vehicle width direction in the vicinity of the front end of thefront side frame;

FIG. 12 is a left side view illustrating an internal structure in thevicinity of the front end of the front side frame seen from the leftside;

FIG. 13 is a left side view illustrating an internal structure of thefront side frame in the vicinity of a suspension housing seen from theleft side;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view seen along arrows E-E in FIG. 3;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view seen along arrows F-F in FIG. 3;

FIG. 16 is an appearance perspective view illustrating an externalappearance of the suspension housing on the right side of the vehicle;

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view seen along arrows G-G in FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is an appearance perspective view illustrating an externalappearance of a sub-frame seen from the upper front of the vehicle;

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram used to describe a first ring-shapedstructural frame;

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram used to describe a second ring-shapedstructural frame;

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram used to describe a third ring-shapedstructural frame, a fourth ring-shaped structural frame, and a fifthring-shaped structural frame; and

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram used to describe a sixth ring-shapedstructural frame and a seventh ring-shaped structural frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below withreference to the drawings. A vehicle 1 according to the presentembodiment is a vehicle having a ring-shaped structural frame that issubstantially ring-shaped in a front body on the vehicle front side ofthe vehicle interior in which occupants get on and off. The front bodystructure of the vehicle 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1to 22.

It should be noted here that FIG. 1 is an appearance perspective viewillustrating the front body seen from the upper front of the vehicle,FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the front body, FIG. 3 is a left sideview illustrating the front body, FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view seenalong arrows A-A in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view seen alongarrows B-B in FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view seen along arrowsC-C in FIG. 2, FIG. 7 is an appearance perspective view illustrating anapron reinforcement lower 822 seen from the upper front of the vehicle,FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view seen along arrows D-D in FIG. 2, FIG. 9is an appearance perspective view illustrating the rear end of a frontside frame 10 seen from the lower front of the vehicle, and FIG. 10 isan appearance perspective view illustrating an inner side in a vehiclewidth direction in the vicinity of the front end of the front side frame10.

In addition, FIG. 11 is an appearance perspective view illustrating anouter side in the vehicle width direction in the vicinity of the frontend of the front side frame 10, FIG. 12 is a left side view illustratingan internal structure in the vicinity of the front end of the front sideframe 10, FIG. 13 is a left side view illustrating an internal structureof the front side frame 10 in the vicinity of a suspension housing 12,FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view seen along arrows E-E in FIG. 3, FIG.15 is a cross sectional view seen along arrows F-F in FIG. 3, FIG. 16 isan appearance perspective view illustrating an external appearance ofthe suspension housing 12 on the right side of the vehicle.

Furthermore, FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view seen along arrows G-G inFIG. 13, FIG. 18 is an appearance perspective view illustrating anexternal appearance of a sub-frame 14 seen from the upper front of thevehicle, FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram used to describe a firstring-shaped structural frame W1, FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram usedto describe a second ring-shaped structural frame W2, FIG. 21 is anexplanatory diagram used to describe a third ring-shaped structuralframe W3, a fourth ring-shaped structural frame W4, and a fifthring-shaped structural frame W5, and FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagramused to describe a sixth ring-shaped structural frame W6 and a seventhring-shaped structural frame W7.

In addition, to clarify illustration, a lower arm 22 is not illustratedin FIG. 3 and FIG. 22, a tower bar 13 is not illustrated in FIG. 4 andFIG. 21, and an apron reinforcement upper 821 is not illustrated in FIG.7. In addition, a side frame outer 102 is not illustrated in FIG. 12 andFIG. 13 and a front suspension damper 20 is not illustrated in FIG. 18.

In addition, in these figures, arrows Fr and Rr indicate the front-reardirection, arrow Fr indicates the front side, and arrow Rr indicates therear side. Furthermore, arrows Rh and Lh indicate the width direction,arrow Rh indicates the right direction, and arrow Lh indicates the leftdirection. In addition, arrow IN indicates the inner side in the vehiclewidth direction and arrow OUT indicates the outer side in the vehiclewidth direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the front body of the vehicle 1according to the present embodiment includes a pair of left and righthinge pillars 2 that extend in the vehicle up-down direction inpositions separated from each other by a predetermined distance in thevehicle width direction, a cowl box 3 that joins the upper portions ofthe hinge pillars 2 to each other in the vehicle width direction, a dashpanel 4 provided between the hinge pillars 2, a dash cross member 5 thatjoins the lower portions of the hinge pillars 2 to each other in thevehicle width direction, a reinforcing member 6 provided on the vehicleupper side of the dash cross member 5, and a pair of left and righttorque boxes 7 provided on the vehicle lower side of the dash crossmember 5.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the front body of the vehicle 1further includes a pair of left and right apron reinforcements 8 thatextend from the upper portions of the hinge pillars 2 toward the vehiclefront side, a shroud upper 9 that joins the front ends of the apronreinforcements 8 to each other in the vehicle width direction, and thepair of left and right front side frames 10 that extend in the vehiclefront-rear direction on the inner side in the vehicle width directionand on the vehicle lower side of the apron reinforcements 8.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the front body of vehicle 1 furtherincludes the shroud upper 9, a pair of left and right shroud members 11that join the front ends of the front side frames 10 to each other in avehicle up-down direction, the hinge pillars 2, and the pair of left andright suspension housings 12 provided between the shroud members 11, thetower bar 13 that joins the left and right suspension housings 12 toeach other, and the sub-frame 14 provided on the vehicle lower side ofthe front side frames 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the front body of vehicle 1 has apair of left and right front joint members 15 that join the front sideframes 10 and the sub-frame 14 to each other in substantially the sameposition in the vehicle front-rear direction as the shroud members 11and rear joint members 16 that connect the front side frames 10 and thesub-frame 14 in substantially the same position in the vehiclefront-rear direction as the suspension housings 12.

Subsequently, the components constituting the front body of the abovevehicle 1 will be described in detail. As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG.3, the hinge pillar 2 forms a lower portion of the vehicle interior andjoins, in the vehicle up-down direction, the front end of a side sill17, which is a closed cross section member extending in the vehiclefront-rear direction, and the front end of a front pillar 18, which is aclosed cross section member extending in the vehicle front-reardirection on the vehicle upper side of the side sill 17.

Although not described in detail, this hinge pillar 2 is a closed crosssection member in which the cross sectional shape in a horizontal crosssection along the vehicle front-rear direction is a closed cross sectionand includes a hinge pillar inner provided on the inner side in thevehicle width direction and a hinge pillar outer provided on the outerside in the vehicle width direction of the hinge pillar inner.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the cowl box 3 is formed in asubstantially arc shape in plan view in which substantially the middlethereof in the vehicle width direction projects toward the vehicle frontside. This cowl box 3 is a closed cross section member in which thecross sectional shape in a vertical cross section along the vehiclefront-rear direction is a closed cross section, as illustrated in FIG.5, and includes a cowl lower 31 provided on the vehicle lower side and acowl upper 32 that covers the cowl lower 31 from the vehicle upper side.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the dash panel4 is a panel member that forms the front wall of the vehicle interiorand both ends in the vehicle width direction are connected to the leftand right hinge pillars 2, respectively, and the upper end is connectedto the cowl lower 31 of the cowl box 3.

Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the lower edge of the dash panel4 in the vicinity of substantially the middle in the vehicle widthdirection is formed in a shape projecting toward the vehicle upward sidelike an inverted U shape along a floor tunnel (not illustrated)extending in the vehicle front-rear direction in the vehicle interior infront view. The lower edge formed in a shape along the floor tunnel is atunnel correspondence portion 4 a.

In addition, the dash cross member 5 connects the lower portions of theleft and right hinge pillars 2 in the vehicle width direction along thelower edge of the dash panel 4 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Although notillustrated in detail, this dash cross member 5 is formed to have asubstantially hat-shaped cross section projecting toward the vehiclefront side so as to form a closed cross section together with the dashpanel 4 in a vertical cross section along the vehicle front-reardirection.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the dash cross member 5 isformed integrally by a gate-shaped part 5 a having a substantially gateshape in front view projecting toward the vehicle upper side along thetunnel correspondence portion 4 a of the dash panel 4 in front view anda horizontal extending part 5 b extending to the outside in the vehiclewidth direction toward the left and right hinge pillars 2 from the lowerend of the gate-shaped part 5 a.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the reinforcing member 6 isprovided on the vehicle upper side of the gate-shaped part 5 a of thedash cross member 5 in front view as a reinforcing member thatreinforces the dash panel 4. The upper end of this reinforcing member 6is connected to the cowl box 3 and the lower end thereof is connected tothe gate-shaped part 5 a of the dash cross member 5.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the reinforcing member 6 isformed integrally by a reinforcing member body 6 a of a substantiallygate shape in front view that has an opening on the vehicle lower sideand a flat plate part 6 b of a substantially planar shape covering theportion surrounded by the reinforcing member body 6 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the reinforcing member body 6 a is formed tohave a cross sectional shape projecting toward the vehicle front side soas to form a closed cross section together with the cowl lower 31 of thecowl box 3 and the dash panel 4 in a vertical cross section along thevehicle front-rear direction. As illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, theflat plate part 6 b is provided with two ribs 6 c that project towardthe vehicle front side and extend in the vehicle width direction so asto be separated from each other by a predetermined distance in thevehicle up-down direction.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the torque box 7 isadjacent to the vehicle lower side of the horizontal extending part 5 bof the dash cross member 5 and joins the side sill 17 and the front sideframe 10 to each other in the vehicle width direction. Although notillustrated in detail, this torque box 7 is formed in a substantiallybox shape in which the cross sectional shape in a vertical cross sectionalong the vehicle front-rear direction is a closed cross sectiontogether with the dash panel 4 adjacent to the side sill 17 on the innerside in the vehicle width direction.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the apron reinforcements 8 areclosed cross section members formed in a shape extending substantiallylinearly in the vehicle front-rear direction in plan view and the apronreinforcements 8 are provided so that the front ends thereof arepositioned on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the rearend thereof.

It should be noted here that the edges of the apron reinforcements 8 onthe inner side in the vehicle width direction are formed in asubstantially arc shape in plan view projecting toward the inner side inthe vehicle width direction in plan view so that the tops thereof arepositioned in substantially the same position in the vehicle front-reardirection view as damper mount parts 121 a of the suspension housings12, which will be described later.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, each of theapron reinforcements 8 includes an apron reinforcement rear part 81having the rear end connected to the upper part of the hinge pillar 2and an apron reinforcement front part 82 connected to the apronreinforcement rear part 81.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the apron reinforcement rear parts81 are formed to have a length in the vehicle front-rear direction sothat the front ends thereof are located in positions slightly closer tothe vehicle rear side than the rear ends of the suspension housings 12,which will be later. As illustrated in FIG. 5, this apron reinforcementrear parts 81 are formed so that the sectional shape in a vertical crosssection along the vehicle width direction is a closed cross sectionalshape.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the apron reinforcement front parts 82 areformed in a shape having an upper surface that is substantially flat anda lower surface that is bent like a wheel arch in side view. Asillustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in the apron reinforcement front part82, the cross sectional shape in the vertical cross section along thevehicle width direction is a substantially rectangular closed crosssection. The apron reinforcement front part 82 includes the apronreinforcement upper 821 disposed on the vehicle upper side and the apronreinforcement lower 822 disposed on the vehicle lower side of the apronreinforcement upper 821.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the apron reinforcement uppers821 are formed to have substantially hat-shaped cross sections, in thevertical cross section along the vehicle width direction, that projectstoward the vehicle upper side. In contrast, as illustrated in FIG. 6 andFIG. 7, the apron reinforcement lowers 822 are formed to havesubstantially hat-shaped cross sections, in the vertical cross sectionalong the vehicle width direction, that projects toward the vehiclelower side.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, each of the apron reinforcement lowers 822 isintegrally formed by connecting, from the vehicle rear side, an apronreinforcement structural part 124 formed integrally with the suspensionhousing 12 and a lower panel 823 of steel formed in a shape continuousfrom the apron reinforcement structural part 124 in this order. Itshould be noted here that the apron reinforcement structural part 124will be described in detail below.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the shroud upper 9 is a closedcross section member in which the cross sectional shape in the verticalcross section along the vehicle front-rear direction is a closed crosssection and includes a shroud lower panel 91 having a substantiallyhat-shaped cross section projecting toward the vehicle lower side and ashroud upper panel 92 having a substantially hat-shaped cross sectionprojecting toward the vehicle upper side.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 9, the front side frames10 are closed cross section members that have a length in the vehiclefront-rear direction from the lower portion of the dash panel 4 to thefront ends of the apron reinforcements 8. As illustrated in FIG. 9, therear end of the front side frame 10 is connected to the range from thefront end of a floor frame 19 that forms a closed cross sectionextending in the vehicle front-rear direction together with a floorpanel (not illustrated) to the dash cross member 5. In addition, theinner side in the vehicle width direction of the torque box 7 isconnected to the side surface on the outer side in the vehicle widthdirection of the front side frame 10.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11, inthe front side frame 10, the cross sectional shape in a vertical crosssection along the vehicle width direction is a substantially rectangularclosed cross section. The front side frame 10 includes a side frameinner 101 provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction andthe side frame outer 102 provided on the outer side in the vehicle widthdirection of the side frame inner 101.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the side frame inner 101 is formed in a shapeobtained by extending, in the vehicle front-rear direction, asubstantially hat-shaped open cross section projecting toward the innerside in the vehicle width direction. In contrast, as illustrated in FIG.11, the side frame outer 102 is formed in a shape obtained by extending,in the vehicle front-rear direction, a substantially hat-shaped opencross section projecting toward the outer side in the vehicle widthdirection by a length in the vehicle width direction larger than thelength in the vehicle width direction of the side frame inner 101.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, substantially planar plate members 103,closing a front end opening, to which crash cans (not illustrated) arejointed are connected to the front side frames 10 described above.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, a first link member104, a second link member 105, and a third link member 106 are providedin this order from the vehicle front side in the front side frame 10 soas to partition the internal space in positions separated atpredetermined distances in the vehicle front-rear direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 12 and FIG. 14, the first link member 104 isintegrally formed by a substantially planar plate portion having apredetermined thickness in the vehicle front-rear direction and a flangeportion extending like a flange shape from the edge of the plateportion.

As illustrated in FIG. 12 and FIG. 14, the first link member 104 isprovided in substantially the same position in the vehicle front-reardirection as the rear portion of the lower end of the shroud member 11,which will be described later, and is connected to the inner surface ofthe front side frame 10. Therefore, a closed cross section spacecontinuous with the shroud member 11, which will be described later, isformed in the front side frame 10 by the plate member 103 and the firstlink member 104.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the second link member 105 is integrallyformed by a substantially planar plate portion having a predeterminedthickness in the vehicle front-rear direction and a flange portionextending like a flange shape from the edge of the plate portion. Thesecond link member 105 is provided in a position separated from thefirst link member 104 toward the vehicle rear side by a predetermineddistance.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the third link member 106 is integrallyformed by a substantially planar plate portion having a predeterminedthickness in the vehicle front-rear direction and a flange portionextending like a flange shape from the edge of the plate portion. Thethird link member 106 is connected to the inner surface of the frontside frame 10 so as to join a rear reinforcing part 123 of thesuspension housing 12 described later and the rear joint member 16described later in the vehicle up-down direction, as illustrated in FIG.13.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 15, the shroudmember 11 is a closed cross section member in which the cross sectionalshape in a horizontal cross section along the vehicle front-reardirection is a substantially rectangular closed cross section andincludes an inner side surface structural part 111 provided on the innerside in the vehicle width direction, an outer side surface structuralpart 112 provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction ofthe inner side surface structural part 111, and a front surfacestructural part 113 provided on the vehicle front side of the inner sidesurface structural part 111.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 10 and FIG. 15, the inner sidesurface structural part 111 is integrally formed by an inner sidesurface portion 111 a that is a side surface on the inner side in thevehicle width direction of the shroud member 11, a rear surface portion111 b that is a rear surface of the shroud member 11, a front sideflange portion 111 c extending from the front end of the inner sidesurface portion 111 a toward the outer side in the vehicle widthdirection, a rear side flange portion 111 d extending from the outerside in the vehicle width direction of the rear surface portion 111 btoward the vehicle rear side, and a lower side flange portion 111 eextending from lower end of the rear surface portion 111 b toward thevehicle rear side.

In this inner side surface structural part 111, as illustrated in FIG.10 and FIG. 12, the lower end of the inner side surface portion 111 a isconnected to the flange portion of the side frame outer 102 and thelower flange portion 111 e is connected to the first link member 104 viathe upper surface of the side frame outer 102.

As illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIG. 15, the outer side surface structuralpart 112 is integrally formed by a raised portion 112 a that is raisedto the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the side surface onthe outer side in the vehicle width direction of the side frame outer102, a rear side flange portion 112 b provided like a substantiallyflange shape along the lower edge and rear edge of the raised portion112 a, and a front side flange portion 112 c that extends toward theouter side in the vehicle width direction from the front edge of theraised portion 112 a.

The raised portion 112 a of the outer side surface structural part 112is formed to have a length in the vehicle up-down direction from theupper end to the side surface of the front side frames 10. In addition,in the outer side surface structural part 112, the lower portion of therear side flange portion 112 b is connected to the side frame outer 102,the rear portion of the rear side flange portion 112 b is connected tothe rear side flange portion 111 d of the inner side surface structuralpart 111, and the front side flange portion 112 c is connected to thefront surface structural part 113.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 14, and FIG. 15, the frontsurface structural part 113 is a substantially planar plate shape thathas a predetermined thickness in the vehicle front-rear direction andcloses an opening on the vehicle front side formed by the inner sidesurface structural part 111 and the outer side surface structural part112.

Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, in the horizontalcross section along the vehicle front-rear direction, the shroud member11 forms a closed cross section with the inner side surface structuralpart 111, the outer side surface structural part 112, and the frontsurface structural part 113 on the vehicle upper side of the uppersurface of the front side frames 10 and forms a closed cross sectionwith the outer side surface structural part 112, the front surfacestructural part 113, and the side surface of the front side frame 10 onthe vehicle lower side of the upper surface of the front side frames 10.

That is, the shroud member 11 forms a closed cross section spaceadjacent to the closed cross section space of the front side frame 10separated by the plate member 103 and the first link member 104 bycausing the outer side surface structural part 112 and the front surfacestructural part 113 to form a closed cross section part having a closedcross section together with the front side frame 10.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the suspensionhousings 12 are high rigidity members that swingably support the hingepillars 2, the upper ends of the front suspension dampers 20 provided indesired positions on the vehicle front side of the dash panel 4 towardthe vehicle front side, and an upper arm 21 and the suspension housings12 are provided across the apron reinforcements 8 and the front sideframes 10.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 16, the suspensionhousings 12 are integrally formed by suspension towers 121 to which theupper ends of the front suspension dampers 20 are attached, front sidereinforcing parts 122 adjacent to the vehicle front side of thesuspension towers 121, the rear reinforcing parts 123 adjacent to thevehicle rear side of the suspension towers 121, and the apronreinforcement structural parts 124 that are parts of the apronreinforcement lowers 822 of the apron reinforcements 8 described above.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the lower ends of the suspension housings 12are connected to the flange part of the side frame outer 102 of thefront side frame 10. It should be noted here that the lower end of therear reinforcing part 123 of the suspension housing 12 is connected tothe flange part of the side frame outer 102 of the front side frame 10in substantially the same position in the vehicle front-rear directionas an upper base part 163 of the rear joint member 16, which will bedescribed later, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 13 and FIG. 16, the suspension tower 121 isformed by a top plate portion that is substantially circular in planview and a side surface portion that extends from the edge on the innerside in the vehicle width direction of the top plate toward the vehiclelower side and becomes the side surface on the inner side in the vehiclewidth direction. The top plate portion of the suspension towers 121 isprovided with the damper mount part 121 a, which is substantiallycircular in plan view, and to which the upper end of the frontsuspension damper 20 is attached.

As illustrated in FIG. 13 and FIG. 16, the front side reinforcing part122 is formed as a reinforcing part that reinforces the vehicle frontside of the suspension towers 121. This front side reinforcing part 122is formed in a shape obtained by raising the range from substantiallythe same position in the vehicle up-down direction as the top plateportion of the suspension tower 121 to the lower portion of thesuspension housings 12 toward the inner side in the vehicle widthdirection.

As illustrated in FIG. 13 and FIG. 16, the rear reinforcing part 123 isformed as a reinforcing part that reinforces the vehicle rear side ofthe suspension tower 121. This rear reinforcing part 123 is formed in ashape obtained by raising the range from the position on the vehicleupper side of the top plate portion of the suspension tower 121 to thelower portion of the suspension housings 12 toward the inner side in thevehicle width direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, FIG. 16, and FIG. 17, the apron reinforcementstructural part 124 is formed in a shape that integrally extends theupper ends of the suspension tower 121, the front side reinforcing part122, and the rear reinforcing part 123 toward the outer side in thevehicle width direction and forms a closed cross section extending inthe vehicle front-rear direction together with the apron reinforcementupper 821 of the apron reinforcement 8.

Specifically, the apron reinforcement structural part 124 is formed sothat the cross sectional shape in a vertical cross section along thevehicle width direction is a substantially hat shape that projectstoward the vehicle lower side and is continuous with the lower panel 823of the apron reinforcement 8 in the state in which the apronreinforcement structural part 124 is connected to the lower panel 823.On the surface on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of thesuspension housing 12 having the structure described above, a front sidesupport part 125 that swingably supports a front joint part of the upperarm 21 and a rear side support part 126 that swingably supports a rearjoint part of the upper arm 21 are formed in positions on both sides inthe vehicle front-rear direction of the suspension towers 121, asillustrated in FIG. 3, FIG. 13, and FIG. 17.

The front side support parts 125 are formed like a pair of wall surfaceserected toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction along bothends in the vehicle front-rear direction of the front side reinforcingparts 122. The rear side support parts 126 are formed like a pair ofwall surfaces erected toward the outer side in the vehicle widthdirection along both ends in the vehicle front-rear direction of therear reinforcing parts 123.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the tower bar 13 joinsthe upper surfaces of the rear reinforcing parts 123 of the left andright suspension housings 12 to each other via the cowl box 3.Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the tower bar 13includes a pipe-shaped bar body 131 that joins the rear reinforcingparts 123 of the left and right suspension housings 12 to each other anda holding member 132 that holds the rear end of the bar body 131 and isjoined to the cowl box 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 5, and FIG. 7, the bar body 131 isintegrally formed like a substantially V-shape in plan view by a pair ofleft and right flange portions 131 a joined to the rear reinforcingparts 123 of the suspension housings 12, a pair of left and right longlength portions 131 b extending substantially linearly from the flangeportions 131 a to the vehicle rear side and the inner side in thevehicle width direction toward the vicinity of substantially the middleof the cowl box 3, and a joint portion 131 c that joins the rear ends ofthe long length portions 131 b to each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 5, the holding member 132 isformed in a shape that integrally holds the vicinity of the rear ends ofthe left and right long length portions 131 b and the joint portion 131c, and is connectable to the upper surface of the gate-shaped part 5 aof the reinforcing member 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the tower bar 13 described above is jointed tothe cowl box 3 that is a closed cross section member via the reinforcingmember 6 that forms a closed cross section together with the dash panel4 and the cowl box 3 by connecting the holding member 132 onto the uppersurface of the gate-shaped part 5 a of the reinforcing member 6.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the sub-frame 14 is formed in asubstantially ladder shape in plan view by a pair of left and right sidemembers 141 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction in positionsseparated from each other by a predetermined distance in the vehiclewidth direction and a front side suspension cross member 142, a middlesuspension cross member 143, and a rear side suspension cross member 144that join the left and right side members 141 to each other in thevehicle width direction. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2,the side members 141 are provided slightly closer to the inner side inthe vehicle width direction than the front side frames 10 in plan view.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, the side members 141 are closed cross sectionmembers in which the cross sectional shape in a vertical cross sectionalong the vehicle width direction is substantially rectangular closedcross section and formed in a shape having substantially the same lengthin the vehicle front-rear direction as the length of the front sideframes 10 in the vehicle front-rear direction. It should be noted herethat the front ends and the rear ends of the side members 141 are formedin shapes bent toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction, asillustrated in FIG. 18.

Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 18, in the side members 141, frontside support brackets 145 that swingably support the joint parts of thelower arms 22 on the vehicle front side are connected to portions on thevehicle front side of the rear joint members 16 described later and rearside support brackets 146 that swingably support the joint parts of thelower arms 22 on the vehicle rear side are fastened and fixed toportions on the vehicle rear side of the rear joint members 16.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 9 and FIG. 18, an insertion hole(not illustrated) into which a fastening member 147 (to be fastened andfixed to the lower surface of the rear end of the front side frame 10)is inserted is opened and formed in the upper surface of the rear end ofthe side member 141.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, the front side suspension cross member 142joins the front ends of the side members 141 to each other in thevehicle width direction. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the front sidesuspension cross member 142 is a closed cross section member in whichthe cross sectional shape of the vertical cross section along thevehicle front-rear direction is a closed cross section and includes amember upper with a substantially hat-shaped cross section projectingtoward the vehicle upper side and a member lower that is substantiallyplanar.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, the middle suspension cross member 143 joinsthe left and right side members 141 to each other in the vehicle widthdirection in a position separated from the front side suspension crossmember 142 toward the vehicle rear side by a predetermined distance.This middle suspension cross member 143 is formed in a shape having arear closed cross section part 143 a that is a closed cross sectionportion joining the left and right side members 141 to each other insubstantially the same position in the vehicle front-rear direction asthe rear reinforcing part 123 of the suspension housing 12 and a frontclosed cross section part 143 b that is a closed cross section portionjoining the left and right side members 141 to each other in a positionseparated from the rear closed cross section part 143 a toward thevehicle front side.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the middle suspension crossmember 143 forms the rear closed cross section part 143 a that is aclosed cross section portion extending in the vehicle width direction onthe vehicle rear side by connecting a member upper that projects towardthe vehicle upper side and has an opening on the outer side in thevehicle width direction and is substantially H-shaped in plan view and amember lower that is substantially planar in the vehicle up-downdirection and the front closed cross section part 143 b that is a closedcross section portion extending in the vehicle width direction on thevehicle front side.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, the rear side suspension cross member 144joins the rear ends of the side members 141 to each other in the vehiclewidth direction. As illustrated in FIG. 18, this rear side suspensioncross member 144 is a closed cross section member in which the crosssectional shape in a vertical cross section along the vehicle front-reardirection is a closed cross section and includes a member upper having across section like a hat shape projecting toward the vehicle upper sideand a member lower that is substantially planar.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 11, FIG. 12, and FIG. 18, the pairof left and right front joint members 15 are formed in a shape obtainedby extending a substantially rectangular closed cross section toward thevehicle upper side and the outer side in the vehicle width direction andthen extending the closed cross section toward the outer side in thevehicle width direction. As illustrated in FIG. 12, each of the frontjoint members 15 connects the lower surface of the side frame outer 102of the front side frame 10 and the front side suspension cross member142 of the sub-frame 14 in the vehicle up-down direction insubstantially the same position in vehicle front-rear direction as thelower end of the shroud member 11.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 11, FIG. 12, and FIG. 18, inthe front joint member 15, the cross sectional shape in a vertical crosssection along the vehicle front-rear direction is a substantiallyrectangular closed cross section. The front joint member 15 is formed byconnecting, in the vehicle up-down direction, a member upper that has asubstantially gate-shaped cross section and an opening on the vehiclelower side and a member lower that has a substantially gate-shaped crosssection and an opening on the vehicle upper side.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 12 and FIG. 18, in the front jointmember 15, a fastening member 151 for fastening and fixing to the frontside frame 10 is provided integrally on an upper surface on the outerside in the vehicle width direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, between the plate member 103 and the firstlink member 104 in the vehicle front-rear direction, the frontconnecting member 15 is fastened and fixed to the lower surface of theside frame outer 102 via the fastening member 151 so that the uppersurface on the outer side in the vehicle width direction faces theshroud member 11 in the vehicle up-down direction.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 13, the rear joint member16 joins the lower surface of the side frame outer 102 of the front sideframe 10 and the side member 141 of the sub-frame 14 to each other inthe vehicle up-down direction in substantially the same position in thevehicle front-rear direction as the rear reinforcing parts 123 of thesuspension housing 12.

In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the rear joint member 16joins the lower surface of the side frame outer 102 of the front sideframe 10 and the side member 141 of the sub-frame 14 to each other inthe vehicle up-down direction in substantially the same position in thevehicle front-rear direction as the third link member 106 provided inthe front side frame 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, this rear joint member 16 is an aluminumdie-cast high-rigidity member and formed integrally by a lower base part161 that is fastened and fixed to the side member 141, a housing andholding part 162 in which an engine mount bush (not illustrated) isaccommodated and held, and the upper base part 163 provided with afastening member 164 for fastening and fixing to the front side frame10.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, the housing and holding part 162 is formed ina substantially cylindrical shape extending from the lower base part 161toward the vehicle upper side and the inner side in the vehicle widthdirection. Although not illustrated in detail, this housing and holdingpart 162 is formed so as to be able to accommodate the engine mount bushthat elastically supports an engine (not illustrated) therein.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the upper base part 163 is formed integrallywith the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the housing andholding part 162 so as to be located in substantially the same positionin the vehicle front-rear direction as the third link member 106 in thestate in which the upper base part 163 is fastened and fixed to thesub-frame 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 19 to FIG. 22, in the front body of the vehicle 1having the structure described above, the members constituting the bodyframe described above are joined to each other to form a plurality ofring-shaped structural frames that are substantially ring-shaped and theplurality of ring-shaped structural frames are joined to each other toform a three-dimensionally ring-shaped structural frame that issubstantially ring-shaped three-dimensionally.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 19 to FIG. 22, in the front body ofthe vehicle 1, the first ring-shaped structural frame W1 that passesthrough the shroud upper 9 and is substantially ring-shaped in frontview, the second ring-shaped structural frame W2 that passes through thesuspension housings 12 and is substantially ring-shaped in front view,the third ring-shaped structural frame W3 that passes through the dashcross member 5 and is substantially ring-shaped in front view, thefourth ring-shaped structural frame W4 that passes through the sub-frame14 and is substantially ring-shaped in front view and the fifthring-shaped structural frame W5 that passes through the torque box 7 andthe sub-frame 14 and is substantially ring-shaped in front view areformed.

In addition, in the front body of the vehicle 1, as illustrated in FIG.22, the sixth ring-shaped structural frame W6 that passes through theapron reinforcements 8 and is substantially ring-shaped in side view andthe seventh ring-shaped structural frame W7 that passes through thesub-frame 14 and is substantially ring-shaped in side view are formed.

In the front body of the vehicle 1, the first ring-shaped structuralframe W1, the second ring-shaped structural frame W2, the thirdring-shaped structural frame W3, the fourth ring-shaped structural frameW4, and the fifth ring-shaped structural frame W5 that are annular infront view are joined by the left and right apron reinforcements 8, theleft and right front side frames 10, and the left and right side members141 of the sub-frame 14 so that these frames W1, W2, W3, W4, and W5 areconnected to each other via the sixth ring-shaped structural frame W6and the seventh ring-shaped structural frame W7.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the first ring-shapedstructural frame W1 that is substantially ring-shaped in front viewincludes the shroud upper 9 that is a closed cross section member, thefront side frames 10 that is a closed cross section member surrounded bythe plate members 103 and the first link member 104, the left and rightshroud members 11 that are closed cross section members, the front sidesuspension cross member 142 of the sub-frame 14 that are closed crosssection members, and the left and right front joint members 15 that areclosed cross section members.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the second ring-shapedstructural frame W2 that is substantially ring-shaped in front viewincludes the left and right front side frames 10 that are closed crosssection members having the third link members 106, the rear reinforcingparts 123 of the left and right suspension housings 12 that are highrigidity members, the tower bar 13 that is a closed cross sectionmember, the rear closed cross section part 143 a of the middlesuspension cross member 143 of the sub-frame 14 that is a closed crosssection member, and the left and right rear joint members 16 that arehigh rigidity members.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 21, the third ring-shaped structuralframe W3 that is substantially ring-shaped in front view includes theleft and right hinge pillars 2 that are closed cross section members,the cowl box 3 that is a closed cross section member, and the dash crossmember 5 that forms a closed cross section extending in the vehiclewidth direction together with the dash panel 4.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 21, the fourth ring-shapedstructural frame W4 that is substantially ring-shaped in front viewincludes the left and right hinge pillars 2 that are closed crosssection members, the cowl box 3 that is a closed cross section member,the horizontal extending part 5 b of the dash cross member 5 that formsa closed cross section together with the dash panel 4, the left andright front side frames 10 that are closed cross section members, theside members 141 of the sub-frame 14 that are closed cross sectionmembers, and the rear side suspension cross member 144.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 21, the fifth ring-shaped structuralframe W5 that is substantially ring-shaped in front view includes theleft and right hinge pillars 2 that are closed cross section members,the cowl box 3 that is a closed cross section member, the torque box 7that forms a closed cross section together with the dash panel 4, theleft and right front side frames 10 that are closed cross sectionmembers, the side members 141 of the sub-frame 14 that are closed crosssection members, and the rear side suspension cross member 144.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 22, the sixth ring-shaped structuralframe W6 that is substantially ring-shaped in side view includes thehinge pillars 2 that are closed cross section members, the dash crossmember 5 that forms a closed cross section together with the dash panel4, the apron reinforcements 8 that are closed cross section members, thefront side frames 10 that are closed cross section members, and theshroud members 11 that are closed cross section members.

As illustrated in FIG. 22, the seventh ring-shaped structural frame W7that is substantially ring-shaped in side view includes the front sideframes 10 that are closed cross section members, the side members 141 ofthe sub-frame 14 that are closed cross section members, and the frontjoint members 15 that are closed cross section members.

As described above, in the front body of the vehicle 1, the firstring-shaped structural frame W1, the second ring-shaped structural frameW2, the third ring-shaped structural frame W3, the fourth ring-shapedstructural frame W4, and the fifth ring-shaped structural frame W5 thatare formed in positions separated from each other by predetermineddistances in the vehicle front-rear direction and annular in front vieware joined to each other in the vehicle front-rear direction by the leftand right sixth ring-shaped structural frames W6 and the left and rightseventh ring-shaped structural frames W7 that are substantiallyring-shaped in side view.

Accordingly, in the front body of the vehicle 1, a substantiallycage-shaped three-dimensional ring-shaped structural frame is formed bythe first ring-shaped structural frame W1, the second ring-shapedstructural frame W2, the third ring-shaped structural frame W3, thefourth ring-shaped structural frame W4, and the fifth ring-shapedstructural frame W5 that are substantially ring-shaped in front view andthe sixth ring-shaped structural frames W6 and the seventh ring-shapedstructural frames W7 that are substantially ring-shaped in side view.

As described above, the front body structure of the vehicle 1 includesthe left and right hinge pillars 2 provided in positions separated fromeach other by a predetermined distance in the vehicle width direction ofthe vehicle 1, the pair of left and right apron reinforcements 8 thatare closed cross section members extending in the vehicle front-reardirection from the upper portions of the hinge pillars 2, the pair ofleft and right front side frames 10 that are closed cross sectionmembers extending in the vehicle front-rear direction on the vehiclelower side of the apron reinforcements 8, the pair of left and rightsuspension housings 12 that support the upper ends of the frontsuspension dampers 20 in desired positions separated from the dash panel4 toward the vehicle front side by a predetermined distance and areprovided across the apron reinforcements 8 and the front side frames 10,and the sub-frame 14 that is provided on the vehicle lower side of thefront side frames 10 and swingably supports the lower arms 22. The frontbody structure of the vehicle 1 further includes the shroud upper 9 thatis a closed cross section member joining the front ends of the apronreinforcements 8 to each other in the vehicle width direction and thepair of left and right shroud members 11 that are closed cross sectionmembers joining the shroud upper 9 and the front ends of the front sideframes 10 to each other, in which the sub-frame 14 includes the pair ofleft and right side members 141 that extend in the vehicle front-reardirection, the front side suspension cross member 142 that is a closedcross section member joining the left and right side members 141 to eachother in substantially the same position in the vehicle front-reardirection as the shroud members 11, the middle suspension cross member143 that is a closed cross section member joining the left and rightside members 141 to each other in substantially the same position in thevehicle front-rear direction as the suspension housings 12, the firstring-shaped structural frame W1 that passes through the shroud members11 and the front side suspension cross member 142 of the sub-frame 14and is substantially ring-shaped in front view, the second ring-shapedstructural frame W2 that passes through a vicinity of the suspensionhousings 12 and the middle suspension cross member 143 of the sub-frame14 and is substantially ring-shaped in front view, the third ring-shapedstructural frame W3 that passes through the hinge pillars 2 and issubstantially ring-shaped in front view and, in which the firstring-shaped structural frame W1, the second ring-shaped structural frameW2, and the third ring-shaped structural frame W3 are joined to eachother in the vehicle front-rear direction by the apron reinforcements 8,the front side frames 10, and the side members 141 of the sub-frame 14to improve the body rigidity against the load acting on the suspensionhousings 12 and the load acting on the sub-frame 14 even when thesuspension housings 12 are provided in positions separated from the dashpanel 4 toward the vehicle front side.

Specifically, since the first ring-shaped structural frame W1, thesecond ring-shaped structural frame W2, and the third ring-shapedstructural frame W3 are joined to each other by the apron reinforcements8, the front side frames 10, and the side members 141 of the sub-frame14, the front body structure of the vehicle 1 can form athree-dimensionally ring-shaped structural frame that is substantiallyring-shaped three-dimensionally.

Accordingly, since the front body structure of the vehicle 1 can supportthe left and right suspension housings 12 using the three-dimensionallyring-shaped structural frame that is annular substantiallythree-dimensionally, when loads in the vehicle up-down direction, loadsin the vehicle width direction, or turning moments act on the suspensionhousings 12 via the front suspension dampers 20, bending and deformationof the front body can be suppressed.

Therefore, the front body structure of the vehicle 1 can form the bodystructure that is highly rigid against loads in the vehicle up-downdirection, loads in the vehicle width direction, and turning momentsthat act on the suspension housings 12 via the front suspension dampers20.

In addition, since the front side suspension cross member 142 forms thefirst ring-shaped structural frame W1, the middle suspension crossmember 143 forms the second ring-shaped structural frame W2, and theside members 141 are joined to the third ring-shaped structural frameW3, the front body structure of the vehicle 1 can improve the supportingrigidity of the sub-frame 14 and can efficiently transmit the loadacting on the sub-frame 14 via the lower arm 22 to the first ring-shapedstructural frame W1, the second ring-shaped structural frame W2, thethird ring-shaped structural frame W3, the apron reinforcements 8, andthe front side frame 10 in a distributed manner.

Accordingly, the front body structure of the vehicle 1 can improve thebody rigidity against the load acting on the suspension housings 12 andthe load acting on the sub-frame 14 even when the suspension housings 12are provided in positions separated from the dash panel 4 toward thevehicle front side.

In addition, since the second ring-shaped structural frame W2 is formedon the vehicle rear side of the suspension housings 12, the front bodystructure of the vehicle 1 can form the second ring-shaped structuralframe W2 in proximity to the third ring-shaped structural frame W3.Therefore, the front body structure of the vehicle 1 can transmit theload acting on the second ring-shaped structural frame W2 to the thirdring-shaped structural frame W3 and the portion of the body on thevehicle rear side of the third ring-shaped structural frame W3.Therefore, the front body structure of the vehicle 1 can stably improvethe body rigidity against the load acting on the suspension housings 12and the load acting on the sub-frame 14 as compared with the case inwhich the second ring-shaped structural frame W2 is formed on thevehicle front side of the suspension housings 12.

In addition, since the third ring-shaped structural frame W3 has thecowl box 3 that is a closed cross section member joining the upperportions of the hinge pillars 2 to each other in the vehicle widthdirection and the second ring-shaped structural frame W2 has the towerbar 13 joining the left and right suspension housings 12 to each othervia the vicinity of a substantially middle in the vehicle widthdirection of the cowl box 3, the front body structure of the vehicle 1can form two substantially triangles in plan view along the vehiclewidth direction using the cowl box 3, the left and right apronreinforcements 8, and the tower bar 13. That is, the front bodystructure of the vehicle 1 can form a truss structure in a rear portionof the front body using the cowl box 3, the left and right apronreinforcements 8, and the tower bar 13.

Since the tower bar 13 that forms the second ring-shaped structuralframe W2 is joined to the cowl box 3 that forms the third ring-shapedstructural frame W3 in this case, the front body structure of thevehicle 1 can more surely improve the rigidity of a three-dimensionallyring-shaped structural frame that is substantially ring-shapedthree-dimensionally in cooperation between the third ring-shapedstructural frame W3 and the second ring-shaped structural frame W2.

In addition, since the tower bar 13 is formed in a substantially V-shapein plan view that is wide on the vehicle front side, the front bodystructure of the vehicle 1 can form a larger opening space on thevehicle front side of the tower bar 13 between the left and right apronreinforcements 8 in plan view without loss of the body rigidity than inthe case in which the left and right suspension housings 12 are joinedto each other in the vehicle width direction.

Accordingly, the front body structure of the vehicle 1 can ensure thedisposition space for an engine and the like provided in the front bodyand improve the body rigidity against the load acting on the suspensionhousings 12 and the load acting on the sub-frame 14 at the same time.

In the correspondence between the structure of the present disclosureand the above embodiment, the suspension arm in the present disclosurecorresponds to the lower arm 22 in the embodiment, the first suspensioncross member corresponds to the front side suspension cross member 142,the second suspension cross member corresponds to the middle suspensioncross member 143, and the suspension housing joint member corresponds tothe tower bar 13, but the present disclosure is not limited to only thestructure of the above embodiment and other many embodiments can beobtained.

For example, although the shroud members 11 are connected to the sidesurfaces on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and the uppersurfaces of the front side frames 10 in the above embodiment, thepresent disclosure is not limited to this example and the shroud membersmay be connected to both side surfaces in the vehicle width directionand the upper surfaces of the front side frames 10.

In addition, although the rear end of the tower bar 13 is joined to thecowl box 3, the present disclosure is not limited to this example and,for example, the left and right hinge pillars 2 may be joined to eachother in the vehicle width direction in the vicinity of the cowl box 3and the rear end of the tower bar 13 may be joined to the dash crossmember that forms a closed cross section together with the dash panel 4.

In addition, although the rear end of the tower bar 13 is joined to thecowl box 3 via the reinforcing member 6, the present disclosure is notlimited to this example and the rear end of the tower bar 13 may bedirectly connected to the cowl box 3.

In addition, although the left and right long length portions 131 b ofthe bar body 131 of the tower bar 13 are joined to the cowl box 3 viathe joint portion 131 c and the holding member 132, the presentdisclosure is not limited to this example and the rear ends of left andright long length joint members formed as separate bodies may be joinedto the cowl box 3 as a pair of left and right long length joint membersincluding the flange portions 131 a and the long length portions 131 b.

In addition, although the rear joint members 16 have the housing andholding parts 162 in which the engine mount bushes are accommodated, thepresent disclosure is not limited to this example and mount-integratedjoint members with attachment parts having upper surfaces to which theengine mount bushes are attached and fixed may be used instead.

In addition, although the front side reinforcing parts 122 and the rearreinforcing parts 123 of the suspension housings 12 are the reinforcingparts having shapes raised to the inner side in the vehicle widthdirection, the present disclosure is not limited to this example and thereinforcing parts may include a plurality of ribs that extend in thevehicle up-down direction and are erected toward the inner side in thevehicle width direction.

In addition, the suspension housings 12 may be aluminum die-castsuspension housings or suspension housings formed by press-forming asteel plate. In the case of suspension housings formed by press-forminga steel plate, the front reinforcing parts and rear reinforcing parts ofthe suspension housings are formed by open cross section members thatform closed cross sections extending in the vehicle up-down directiontogether with the suspension tower.

In addition, although one third link member 106 is provided in theinternal space of the front side frame 10 between the suspension housing12 and the rear joint member 16, the present disclosure is not limitedto this example and two link members may be disposed separately fromeach other by a predetermined distance in the vehicle front-reardirection in the internal space of the front side frame 10 between thesuspension housing 12 and the rear joint member 16.

In addition, although the ring-shaped structural frame joined to thefirst ring-shaped structural frame W1 and the second ring-shapedstructural frame W2 via the apron reinforcements 8, the front sideframes 10, and the side members 141 of the sub-frame 14 is the thirdring-shaped structural frame W3, the present disclosure is not limitedto this example and the ring-shaped structural frame connected to thefirst ring-shaped structural frame W1 and the second ring-shapedstructural frame W2 may be the fourth ring-shaped structural frame W4 orthe fifth ring-shaped structural frame W5. Alternatively, thering-shaped structural frames connected to the first ring-shapedstructural frame W1 and the second ring-shaped structural frame W2 maybe the third ring-shaped structural frame W3, the fourth ring-shapedstructural frame W4, and the fifth ring-shaped structural frame W5.

What is claimed is:
 1. A front body structure of a vehicle, comprising:a pair of left and right hinge pillars provided in positions separatedfrom each other by a predetermined distance in a vehicle width directionof the vehicle; a pair of left and right apron reinforcements that areclosed cross section members extending in a vehicle front-rear directionfrom upper portions of the hinge pillars; a pair of left and right frontside frames that are closed cross section members extending in thevehicle front-rear direction on a vehicle lower side of the apronreinforcements; a pair of left and right suspension housings thatsupport upper ends of front suspension dampers in desired positionsseparated from a dash panel toward a vehicle front side by thepredetermined distance, the suspension housings being provided acrossthe apron reinforcements and the front side frames; a shroud upper thatis a closed cross section member joining front ends of the apronreinforcements to each other in the vehicle width direction; a pair ofleft and right shroud members that are closed cross section membersjoining the shroud upper and front ends of the front side frames to eachother; a sub-frame provided on the vehicle lower side of the front sideframes, the sub-frame swingably supporting a suspension arm, wherein thesub-frame includes a pair of left and right side members that extend inthe vehicle front-rear direction, a first suspension cross member thatis a closed cross section member joining the left and right side membersto each other in substantially the same position in the vehiclefront-rear direction as the shroud members, and a second suspensioncross member that is a closed cross section member joining the left andright side members to each other in substantially the same position inthe vehicle front-rear direction as the suspension housings; a firstring-shaped structural frame that passes through the shroud members andthe first suspension cross member of the sub-frame, the firstring-shaped structural frame being substantially ring-shaped in frontview; a second ring-shaped structural frame that passes through avicinity of the suspension housings and the second suspension crossmember of the sub-frame, the second ring-shaped structural frame beingsubstantially ring-shaped in front view; and a third ring-shapedstructural frame that passes through the hinge pillars, the thirdring-shaped structural frame being substantially ring-shaped in frontview, wherein the first ring-shaped structural frame, the secondring-shaped structural frame, and the third ring-shaped structural frameare joined to each other in the vehicle front-rear direction by theapron reinforcements, the front side frames, and the side members of thesub-frame.
 2. The front body structure of the vehicle according to claim1, wherein the second ring-shaped structural frame is formed on avehicle rear side of the suspension housings.
 3. The front bodystructure of the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the thirdring-shaped structural frame has a cowl box that is a closed crosssection member joining the upper portions of the hinge pillars to eachother in the vehicle width direction, and the second ring-shapedstructural frame has a suspension housing joint member that joins theleft and right suspension housings to each other via a vicinity of asubstantially middle in the vehicle width direction of the cowl box. 4.The front body structure of the vehicle according to claim 2, whereinthe third ring-shaped structural frame has a cowl box that is a closedcross section member joining the upper portions of the hinge pillars toeach other in the vehicle width direction, and the second ring-shapedstructural frame has a suspension housing joint member that joins theleft and right suspension housings to each other via a vicinity of asubstantially middle in the vehicle width direction of the cowl box.